The word summer can have two completely different meanings for kids and adults. For kids it’s that precious time when they can do what they want without the set schedule of school, without set bedtimes and without school work. For you, it can seem like an endless time of trying to keep your kids occupied without allowing them to veg in front of the television and video games all day. You want them to have fun and create great summer memories; but, as a seasoned mom, you know that a complete lack of structure can lead to choruses of “I’m bored” throughout the day.

Of course, there are the usual summer activities that include spending days at the beach, taking walks and bike rides, or playing in the backyard. You’ll want to have some structure and routine. It may not sound too hard, but when you have a houseful of kids who are sooooo bored you’ll want to have a bunch of fun, interesting activities handy to help you keep your sanity. One option is to have a box, notebook or bulletin board full of ideas so that when you hear the dreaded: “I’m bored” you can find them something to do without much thought.

Here are some hints to help you get started with your Summer Activity Cache:

1.Figure out where you are going to keep your cache: a box, bulletin board or notebook.

2.Encourage your kids to add activities they want to do to the cache.

3.Look through magazines, websites and books to find ideas to add to your cache.

4.Make sure you keep a bunch of supplies around to do the activities you have in your cache.

Start your cache with these ideas:

Spur of the Moment Games

1.Look around the house to find an object that starts with each letter of the alphabet.

2.Write add-a-sentence stories or draw add-a-line pictures.

3.Create a treasure hunt for each other.

4.Have a paper airplane contest. See who can make the biggest, smallest, and furthest flying planes.

5.Go on a rock hunt. Look for different sizes, colors and shapes.

Outdoor Games

1.Play kickball but change one rule to spice it up a bit.

2.Create shadow art on the driveway. Have one person make neat shadows while another one traces them with chalk. Move away and then color them in or add more details.

3.Rely on some old favorites: hopscotch and double-dutch jump rope.

Arts and Crafts

There are so many things you can do to create a fun arts and crafts area for your kids. Here are some staple supplies you should always keep on hand:

1.Plenty of paper, crayons, markers and colored pencils

2.A box full of collage items (stray buttons, leaves, scrap papers, glitter, popsicle sticks, stickers, and any other small items you might find around the house)

3.Paints

4.Modeling clay

5.Chalk

Let your kids use their imaginations when it comes to creating.

Looking for Something a Little More Productive?

Take advantage of those rainy days and finally find a way to organize your mounds of pictures. One great thing you can do is use Your Trading Card Maker. This is a really great product that has so much versatility you and your kids won’t get bored with the possibilities.

The product is easy to install on your computer and easy to use. It comes with a bunch of templates that allow you to simply fill in the blanks and add your own pictures. Each trading card takes about five minutes to create and print.

Here are some ways you can use it:

1.Make trading cards to highlight your child’s favorite extracurricular activity. Whether she or he likes baseball, football, soccer, forensic, debate, art club or cheerleading, a set can serve as a timeline highlighting the years events with great photos on the front and stats or information on the back.

2.Help your children create an interesting memorabilia of their classmates using all of those school photographs floating around. Put the photo on the front and your child can write information about each classmate on the back.

3.Create invitations to summer gatherings and other special occasions. Or, have your child create a set of greeting cards to have on hand.

4.This is great for you as well. They make great stationary additions for businesses and clubs: Use them for real estate marketing, employee awards and promotional cards. You can also create memorabilia cards for any clubs you are in.

Other great uses for the product:

1.Fundraisers: create and sell custom trading cards for your groups next fundraising event.

2.Trophies: Instead of trophies that get dusty on the shelf, make custom trading cards to commemorate an individual, team or group accomplishment.

It doesn’t matter if you and your kids like sports, academics or arts and crafts. Whatever your interests are, you can help them have an exciting summer by taking a little time to create a Summer Activity Cache. Just make sure you have a variety of activities and the right supplies.